Which term describes replacing a full noun phrase by a shorter form such as a pronoun?

• A. Substitution
• B. Reference
• C. Ellipsis
• D. Grammatical cohesion

Answer: (A)

Replacing a full noun phrase with a shorter form like a pronoun is substitution. This is the exact move in discourse: a substitute word or form takes the place of the original noun phrase so we don’t repeat it. Pronouns are the common substitutes that also point back to their antecedents, helping the text flow and stay connected. For example: The manager announced the change, and she explained it to the team. Here, she substitutes for “the manager” and it substitutes for “the change.” Ellipsis would involve omitting material rather than substituting a shorter form, and reference is about connecting expressions to their antecedents, while substitution is the act of replacing the noun phrase itself. Grammatical cohesion is the broader idea that includes substitution along with these other devices.